Summary of Reflection on Ethics

The Ethical Journey of Sofia and Her Friends

In a lively Canadian high school filled with curious Grade 9 students, Sofia and her three closest friends – Lucas, Ana, and Pedro – were known for their spirited debates over everything from local sports teams to the latest gadgets. Sofia, the natural leader, was always game for a new intellectual challenge; Lucas was calm and thoughtful, Ana never let go of her smartphone, and Pedro, the resident philosopher, loved to unpack complex theories. But one day, their Philosophy teacher, Helena, had prepared a lesson that was bound to spark even greater interest.

Upon entering the classroom, Helena greeted them with a genuine smile and an intriguing challenge: “Today, you’re going to be explorers of ethics. We have three historical wise men – Aristotle, Kant, and Mill – who need our help.” She explained, “You will work with their ideas to solve contemporary ethical dilemmas using technology you’re already passionate about.” The room buzzed with excitement as students quickly formed groups, eager to begin their mission.

Working in teams, each group was asked to choose a current ethical dilemma and apply the theories of these classic thinkers. Sofia and her friends tackled the issue of social media’s effect on privacy by creating an imaginary Instagram account for a digital influencer named ‘EcoHero.’ Inspired in part by Ana’s recent real-life discovery about data privacy, the team crafted a series of posts that brought Aristotle, Kant, and Mill's ideas into the spotlight.

Their first Instagram post featured an image of ‘EcoHero’ looking thoughtfully at a laptop, hinting at his worries over what personal information he might be sharing. Lucas pointed out that, following Aristotle’s teachings, virtue meant striking the perfect balance between oversharing and staying too cautious. They paired this message with a quote on moderation and a colourful illustration by Ana, which depicted balance using images reminiscent of classical Greek columns.

The second post was a dynamic video where Ana, acting as ‘EcoHero,’ engaged in an internal debate about data privacy. The video began with a close-up of Ana’s concerned expression before zooming out to reveal a long list of data points. Pedro then introduced Kant’s perspective, emphasizing that, in our actions, we should treat others' personal information as valuable in itself, not just as a resource. With key points highlighted using vivid subtitles and animated graphics, the message resonated well with the class.

The final post was a comic-style narrative where ‘EcoHero’ weighed different options, ultimately deciding to be transparent about data use and to always ask for consent – a decision powered by Mill’s utilitarian values. Pedro’s favourite quotes from Mill punctuated the narrative, driving home the importance of considering consequences in ethical decision-making.

After all posts were shared, the class transformed into a lively debate zone, with students asking probing questions and offering alternative viewpoints. Helena moderated the discussion expertly, urging everyone to think critically and express their reasoning clearly. The session concluded with a 360° feedback round, where peer-to-peer praise and constructive suggestions further cemented the learning experience.

At the end of the day, Sofia felt that the lesson had been a true ethical adventure. Not only had it deepened their understanding of timeless philosophical ideas, but it also showed how these principles could inform real-world decisions in our digital age. As the students headed down the hallway, already chatting about future dilemmas they wished to explore, Sofia knew that this day had reshaped her view of both ethics and the world around her.